YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Too much or not enough?

By Gene Hall

Too much rain.

It's something you seldom hear from farmers and ranchers.

Yet that's the case for some in South and Central Texas this year.

Ample rains have kept many completely out of the fields. Just about everything has been delayed in Deep South Texas because of boggy ground. Corn planting is three weeks to a month behind in parts of Central Texas.

Late planting causes lots of problems. Greater potential for insects. Summer's heat can hurt crop yields and the bottom line. Then there are planting deadlines and the potential problems they bring.

Yet farmers and ranchers in other parts of the state are begging for moisture. Just goes to show how big and diverse the Lone Star State is. And how 50 or 100 miles can make a huge difference.

Still, after many years of drought, you don't hear too many complaints.

Most are thanking the Good Lord for the rain. Some are just asking him to spread it out a bit.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.